Since 1931, the country's best-selling books have appeared on an authoritative weekly list in the New York Times, a list that has transformed into a resource for readers and booksellers alike. Read on to discover both past and present best sellers—you just might find your next book club pick!
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Femininity, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Equality, Relationships: Mothers
Tags Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Gender / Feminism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Publication year 2021
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Identity: Mental Health, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family
Tags Psychology, Self Help, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, Education, Education, Science / Nature, Parenting, Psychology, Health / Medicine
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Business / Economics, Mystery / Crime Fiction
Publication year 2022
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Flora/plants, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Tags Science / Nature, Humor, History: World
Publication year 2009
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Tags Psychology, Sociology, Science / Nature, Business / Economics, Social Science, Psychology, Self Help
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Immigration, Relationships: Family
Tags Romance, Relationships, Arts / Culture, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction
When Dimple Met Rishi (2017), a young adult romantic novel by Indian-American author Sandhya Menon, is focused on the blossoming love story between two Indian-American teenagers during a tech summer camp. It was widely praised for its realistic and original depiction of the ways in which second-generation teenagers react to their mixed cultures.Dimple Shah is a strong-willed eighteen-year-old girl with plans to go to Stanford. She wants to go to university to build a career... Read When Dimple Met Rishi Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: Class, Society: Community, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Hope
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Race / Racism, Romance, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2016
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Grandparents, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Children's Literature, Chinese Literature
When the Sea Turned Silver by Grace Lin takes readers on a journey through a richly imagined world full of imagery and Chinese folklore. The novel follows the adventures of Pinmei and Yishan as they navigate themes of Finding and Creating Identity, The Power of Stories, and how Perception Shapes Reality. Recognized for its storytelling and cultural depth, When the Sea Turned Silver was a 2016 National Book Award Finalist. Critics praise the novel for... Read When the Sea Turned to Silver Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publication year 2019
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Identity: Gender, Relationships: Family, Society: Nation
Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Cold War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World
Publication year 2019
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Femininity
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Business / Economics, Bullying, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 1998
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Tags Self Help, Business / Economics, Leadership/Organization/Management, Inspirational, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD, is an inspirational advice book on how people and businesses can respond to changing times and situations by learning how to adapt quickly and successfully. The book centers on a parable about two mice and two people who live in a maze and search for cheese—the things each wants in life—and what happens when the cheese they’ve been enjoying disappears. First published in 1998, the book proved... Read Who Moved My Cheese? Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Society: Nation, Society: Community
Tags History: U.S., Psychology, Sociology, Politics / Government, Social Science, History: World, Psychology, Arts / Culture
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Fathers, Self Discovery
Tags Romance, New Adult, Sports, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2021
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Fame, Self Discovery, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Tags Music, Arts / Culture, Creative Nonfiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Biography, Self Help
Publication year 2016
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Identity: Disability
Tags Realistic Fiction, Animals, Bullying, Children's Literature
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Tags Romance, Realistic Fiction, Health / Medicine, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publication year 1952
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags History: U.S., Cold War, Politics / Government, Philosophy, Christian literature, History: World, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Biography
Publication year 2022
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Art, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Family
Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, WWII / World War II, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Arts / Culture